Jennie from BLACKPINK is the most influencing K-pop idol in 2025, topping Forbes Korea’s rankings with a 1.91 Idol Index.
On December 1st, Forbes Korea released two major rankings: the Korean Idols list and the Power Celebrity 40, which measure real influence in the industry.
These rankings are based on streaming numbers, media mentions, fan voting power, and earning capacity to find who’s truly dominating.
This article breaks down the complete rankings, shows you which artists lead in 2025, and explains why these numbers matter for understanding K-pop’s power structure today.
Most Influencing Artist In K-pop 2025 Rankings Overview
Here’s what’s shaping K-pop influence right now:
- Jennie (BLACKPINK) tops Forbes Korea Korean Idols with a 1.91 Idol Index, leading all categories.
- IU claims Power Celebrity 40 #1 with 56.51 Celebrity Index and $22.3M earnings.
- Rosé (BLACKPINK) dominates streaming with 14.8B streams and 3 Grammy 2026 nominations.
- V (BTS) ranks #5 overall, the highest male idol despite military service.
- Stray Kids takes #3 and #1 boy group with 8 Billboard 200 #1s.
Most Influencing K-pop Idol 2025 – Top Rankings
Jennie leads the 2025 Forbes Korea Korean Idols ranking with a strong 1.91 Idol Index score, with her BLACKPINK groupmate Rosé right behind.
The ranking measures streaming performance, media coverage, and fan engagement to determine influence levels.
| Rank | Artist/Group | Type | Idol Index | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jennie (BLACKPINK) | Solo | 1.91 | All-category leader |
| 2 | Rosé (BLACKPINK) | Solo | 1.86 | Streaming dominance |
| 3 | Stray Kids | Group | 1.81 | Highest fan votes |
| 4 | BTS | Group | 1.77 | Global brand power |
| 5 | V/Taehyung (BTS) | Solo | 1.48 | Top male idol |
| 6 | BLACKPINK | Group | 1.45 | Fashion influence |
| 7 | aespa | Group | 1.42 | 4th Gen leaders |
| 8 | IVE | Group | 1.39 | Rising power |
| 9 | TWICE | Group | 1.35 | Legacy status |
| 10 | NewJeans | Group | 1.32 | Viral impact |
Solo artists took two of the top three spots, with BLACKPINK members Jennie and Rosé leading the pack.
This shift matters because it shows that individual brand power and personal projects now carry as much weight as group achievements in measuring overall influence.
Most Influencing Female K-pop Artist 2025
Jennie from BLACKPINK wins as the #1 female artist, with a 1.91 Idol Index that no one else can match. She won in every aspect, streaming numbers, media coverage, and fan votes, without doing a single group comeback in 2025.
Her work as a global brand face for Chanel and Calvin Klein turned fashion shows into K-pop moments. Here’s the thing: Jennie’s solo work showed you don’t need group releases to stay on top.
BLACKPINK members hold both top spots, proving they’re among the most popular K-pop groups even when working alone.
Most Influencing Male K-pop Artist 2025
V from BTS takes the top male idol spot at #5 overall with a 1.48 Idol Index. Surprisingly, he’s the only male solo artist in the Top 10. His military service ended in June 2025, but that didn’t stop his “V Mode” worldwide campaigns with luxury brands.
Even without releasing new music or doing promotions during his service, V ranked higher than most male idols who were actively performing and releasing content throughout 2025.
V’s individual success reflects why BTS has been named a top K-pop artist of the year in previous rankings; their members carry influence even when working separately.
Most Influencing K-pop Group 2025
Stray Kids wins the #1 boy group title, ranking #3 overall, with a 1.81 Idol Index. Stray Kids debuted on March 25, 2018, and kept growing through hard work and smart planning.
They got the highest fan votes at 13,030, beating even the older, established acts. Eight straight Billboard 200 #1 albums isn’t about luck; it’s about smart global touring and strong fan connections.
This is a big change. Fourth-generation groups aren’t just trying anymore. They’re actually winning.
Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40 Rankings
IU claims the #1 spot on the Power Celebrity 40 list with a 56.51 Celebrity Index and $22.3 million in annual earnings.
The Power Celebrity 40 ranking is different from the Korean Idols list; it measures overall celebrity influence across all entertainment fields, not just K-pop. This ranking places heavy weight on income, alongside media presence and public impact.
It includes actors, comedians, athletes, and entertainers beyond the music industry. The Celebrity Index calculation gives significant weight to earning power, which is why crossover stars who work in multiple areas often rank higher here.
This list shows who has the broadest reach in Korean entertainment, combining commercial success with cultural impact.
While idol-specific rankings focus on music metrics like streaming and fan votes, the Power Celebrity 40 captures total entertainment industry dominance across TV, film, music, and endorsements.
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Conclusion: The Most Influencing Artist In K-Pop 2025 Is Jennie From BLACKPINK
Jennie leads idol rankings while IU tops the celebrity world, two different ways to measure influence for 2025’s K-pop royalty.
Forbes Korea’s system looks at streaming, earnings, media buzz, and fan power, showing that influence isn’t the same for everyone. BLACKPINK and BTS stay on top even during solo work and military service.
With BTS’s 2026 group comeback confirmed and BLACKPINK members staying with their label, next year’s rankings might see even bigger changes. Which ranking surprised you the most?
FAQs
Jennie from BLACKPINK tops Forbes Korea’s Korean Idols ranking with a 1.91 Idol Index, leading in streaming, media coverage, and fan votes.
IU takes the #1 spot on Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40 with $22.3M in earnings and a 56.51 Celebrity Index across music and acting.
As of 2025, BTS members collectively top the list, with estimated earnings of around $50 million, driven by global tours, music sales, brand endorsements, solo projects, and business ventures.
V (Taehyung) from BTS ranks #5 overall with a 1.48 Idol Index, making him the top-ranked male idol even after finishing military service.
